Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagined Splash Mountain, is set to reopen on June 28 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. This refurbishment of the iconic water ride was announced four years ago, with similar changes at Disneyland in California expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The ride features beloved characters from Disney Animation’s “Princess and the Frog” and takes guests through the enchanting swamps of New Orleans as Tiana prepares for a grand Mardi Gras celebration. Fans of the original ride will be pleased to know that the thrilling more-than-50-foot drop remains intact.
Riders will enjoy a musical journey as they navigate the log ride, featuring new, original music alongside favorite songs from the 2009 animated film. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces such as Tiana, Louis, and Mama Odie, as well as a variety of musical critters from the bayou.
The transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is part of Disney’s broader strategy to incorporate popular intellectual properties into its existing attractions and theme parks. This effort is part of Disney’s plan to invest $60 billion in its parks business over the next decade.
Disney has already made similar updates to other attractions. The iconic Tower of Terror at California Adventure has been rethemed to feature characters from Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Additionally, the California Screamin’ roller coaster was converted into an “Incredibles” coaster, also at California Adventure, and the Maelstrom ride in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot was replaced with a “Frozen” attraction.
These updates, often referred to by Disney as “plussing,” are designed to make attractions more relevant and to enhance the guest experience. By infusing rides with familiar and beloved characters, Disney aims to keep its parks fresh and exciting for new generations of visitors.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure promises to be a delightful addition to Walt Disney World, offering a blend of thrilling moments, enchanting storytelling, and memorable music. As Disney continues to evolve its parks and attractions, guests can look forward to even more innovative and immersive experiences in the years to come.
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